Snow days are both a joy and a challenge. When school is cancelled and the snow piles up outside, you want to make the most of the unexpected free day. At the same time, being stuck inside with restless kids can quickly lead to boredom and arguments. The solution? Plan some great game setups that will keep the whole family engaged and having fun all day long. With some preparation and creativity, you can turn your snowbound day into a memorable one filled with games, activities, and quality time together.
Board Game Station
One of the best ways to spend a snow day is playing classic board games together. Set up a game station in your living room or kitchen that has options for all ages. Some great games to include are:
Classics Like Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble
Put out the classic board games that have entertained families for generations. Monopoly and Clue involve strategy and friendly competition. Scrabble enhances vocabulary and spelling skills. These timeless games never get old.
Games That Build Math and Logic Skills
Games like Blokus, Pentago, Quoridor and Quarto exercise spatial reasoning and critical thinking. The whole family can sharpen math and logic skills while having a blast.
Cooperative Games
Cooperative games encourage teamwork as all players work together towards a common goal. Some great options are Forbidden Island, Pandemic, Flash Point: Fire Rescue and Castle Panic.
Party Games for Silly Fun
Party games bring out everyone’s silly side. Put out Apples to Apples, Articulate, Taboo, Pictionary and Charades for hours of laughter.
Rotate games throughout the day to keep things interesting. Have snacks like popcorn and hot chocolate available to fuel the fun. A game station offers screen-free entertainment the whole family will enjoy.
Indoor Scavenger Hunt
When cabin fever sets in, turn your home into a playing field for a scavenger hunt. Make a list of ordinary household items for teams to find and collect. You can theme it any way you like. Here are some fun ideas:
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
For a festive twist, make a list of red, green and white items that relate to Christmas, like a Santa hat, bells, and candy canes. Give each team a sack and have them race through the house collecting everything on the list.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Even when you’re stuck inside, you can find elements of nature. Make a list with things like a houseplant, something wood, something metal, a cotton sock, a seashell, feathers, etc. Kids will have a blast rummaging through the house to find them.
Rainbow Scavenger Hunt
Search for all the colors of the rainbow with this colorful hunt. List red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet items for kids to locate.
Photo Scavenger Hunt
For older kids, turn it into a photo hunt by giving them a digital camera or phone camera. They have to take pictures of the items on the list rather than collecting them.
Scavenger hunts add active fun to a snow day, engaging kids in problem-solving as they search high and low through the house.
Snow Themed Arts and Crafts
Unleash creativity with snow-themed arts and crafts projects. Crafting keeps hands busy and provides an outlet for artistic expression. Set up a craft station in the kitchen or basement with these snowy craft ideas:
Snowflake Sun Catchers
Using white paper doilies, glue sticks, and glitter, kids can create beautiful glittery snowflake sun catchers. Hang them in the window to admire when the sun shines through.
Handprint Snowmen
Finger paint white handprints onto blue paper to make adorable snowmen. Glue on scarves, noses, buttons and top hats to finish them off.
Cotton Ball Snow Storm Painting
Glue cotton balls onto black paper to recreate a snowy landscape, then paint the scene with glittery white paint. The cotton balls create dimension and texture.
Melted Snowman Ornaments
Draw a snowman outline on white craft foam. Cut it out and use a heat tool to melt the edges for that “melting snow” look. Add string to hang as ornaments.
The options for snow-themed crafts are endless. Set out supplies like glitter, pom poms, feathers, popsicle sticks, glue and let imaginations run wild.
Snow Much Fun With Science Experiments
Snow days present the perfect opportunity to delve into science experiments that explore winter weather phenomena. Learning through hands-on experiments makes science come alive. Try these fun science activities:
Make Homemade Snow
Explore the chemistry of snow by making your own fluffy white snow. All you need is baking soda, shaving cream and food coloring. When mixed together, a chemical reaction causes the shaving cream to turn into snow. Kids will be amazed!
Create Frozen Bubbles
Blowing bubbles then watching them freeze into icy orbs is magical. Simply blow bubbles outside when the temperature is below freezing. The bubble solution freezes instantly once it hits the frigid air.
Build an Igloo from Ice Bricks
Fill several balloons or milk cartons with water and let them freeze overnight, then peel off the containers. Use the ice bricks to construct a miniature igloo fort. Learn how ice blocks insulate.
Make Crystals from Boiling Water and Snow
Part science experiment, part snow art! Boil water with sugar then pour it over fresh snow. As it cools, beautiful crystals form. Observe the chemical process up close through a magnifying glass.
Science experiments turn snowbound days into learning adventures. Children discover how real-world science connects to the weather wonders happening right outside their windows.
Snow Much Fun With Science Experiments
Snow days present the perfect opportunity to delve into science experiments that explore winter weather phenomena. Learning through hands-on experiments makes science come alive. Try these fun science activities:
Make Homemade Snow
Explore the chemistry of snow by making your own fluffy white snow. All you need is baking soda, shaving cream and food coloring. When mixed together, a chemical reaction causes the shaving cream to turn into snow. Kids will be amazed!
Create Frozen Bubbles
Blowing bubbles then watching them freeze into icy orbs is magical. Simply blow bubbles outside when the temperature is below freezing. The bubble solution freezes instantly once it hits the frigid air.
Build an Igloo from Ice Bricks
Fill several balloons or milk cartons with water and let them freeze overnight, then peel off the containers. Use the ice bricks to construct a miniature igloo fort. Learn how ice blocks insulate.
Make Crystals from Boiling Water and Snow
Part science experiment, part snow art! Boil water with sugar then pour it over fresh snow. As it cools, beautiful crystals form. Observe the chemical process up close through a magnifying glass.
Science experiments turn snowbound days into learning adventures. Children discover how real-world science connects to the weather wonders happening right outside their windows.
Indoor Tent Camping Adventure
Recreate the fun of camping indoors by setting up tents and creating your own campground inside. Use chairs, blankets and couch cushions to assemble cozy tents. Include flashlights and lanterns to make it feel like the real outdoors.
Make it a full camping experience by pretending to:
- Go fishing in a kiddie pool filled with stuffed fish and toy fishing poles
- Roast marshmallows over a mock fire pit
- Go on a hike around the house checking out the “sights”
- Tell ghost stories by flashlight
- Sing camp songs together
Indoor camping is one of the most imaginative snow day activities. Kids can take the lead in setting up the tents and planning activities. The whole family can have an adventure, even while stuck at home.
Snow Much Fun With Science Experiments
Snow days present the perfect opportunity to delve into science experiments that explore winter weather phenomena. Learning through hands-on experiments makes science come alive. Try these fun science activities:
Make Homemade Snow
Explore the chemistry of snow by making your own fluffy white snow. All you need is baking soda, shaving cream and food coloring. When mixed together, a chemical reaction causes the shaving cream to turn into snow. Kids will be amazed!
Create Frozen Bubbles
Blowing bubbles then watching them freeze into icy orbs is magical. Simply blow bubbles outside when the temperature is below freezing. The bubble solution freezes instantly once it hits the frigid air.
Build an Igloo from Ice Bricks
Fill several balloons or milk cartons with water and let them freeze overnight, then peel off the containers. Use the ice bricks to construct a miniature igloo fort. Learn how ice blocks insulate.
Make Crystals from Boiling Water and Snow
Part science experiment, part snow art! Boil water with sugar then pour it over fresh snow. As it cools, beautiful crystals form. Observe the chemical process up close through a magnifying glass.
Science experiments turn snowbound days into learning adventures. Children discover how real-world science connects to the weather wonders happening right outside their windows.
Indoor Obstacle Courses
Get the wiggles out with indoor obstacle courses! This active activity challenges coordination and burns energy. Move furniture and use household items to set up an obstacle course through the house. Ideas include:
- Crawling through tunnels made of furniture and blankets
- Moving across “lava” spots using pillow stepping stones
- Throwing soft balls into laundry baskets to score
- Navigating around cones or obstacles
- Crab walking or hopping from room to room
- Balancing along a line of rope or tape on the floor
- Spinning around a bat or broom 10 times
Time each family member going through the course and have contests to see who can complete it fastest. Let kids take the lead in designing courses to add variety. Indoor obstacle courses tire out even the most energetic kids so they sleep soundly after an exciting snowbound day.
Snow Much Fun With Science Experiments
Snow days present the perfect opportunity to delve into science experiments that explore winter weather phenomena. Learning through hands-on experiments makes science come alive. Try these fun science activities:
Make Homemade Snow
Explore the chemistry of snow by making your own fluffy white snow. All you need is baking soda, shaving cream and food coloring. When mixed together, a chemical reaction causes the shaving cream to turn into snow. Kids will be amazed!
Create Frozen Bubbles
Blowing bubbles then watching them freeze into icy orbs is magical. Simply blow bubbles outside when the temperature is below freezing. The bubble solution freezes instantly once it hits the frigid air.
Build an Igloo from Ice Bricks
Fill several balloons or milk cartons with water and let them freeze overnight, then peel off the containers. Use the ice bricks to construct a miniature igloo fort. Learn how ice blocks insulate.
Make Crystals from Boiling Water and Snow
Part science experiment, part snow art! Boil water with sugar then pour it over fresh snow. As it cools, beautiful crystals form. Observe the chemical process up close through a magnifying glass.
Science experiments turn snowbound days into learning adventures. Children discover how real-world science connects to the weather wonders happening right outside their windows.
Cozy Up with Cocoa and Movies
After a busy day playing games and exploring activities, gather the family in blankets on the couch for hot cocoa and a movie. Pick a seasonal favorite like “Home Alone,” “Elf,” “Frozen,” or “The Polar Express.” Light the fireplace if you have one and relax with steaming mugs of rich hot chocolate loaded with marshmallows.
Some other ideas for your snow day film festival:
- Have a Disney marathon with classics like “Snow White,” “Pinocchio,” “Cinderella” and more.
- Watch holiday favorites like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “A Christmas Story,” and “Miracle on 34th Street.”
- Choose feel-good family films like “Mary Poppins,” “The Sound of Music” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
- Opt for funny flicks that will have you laughing like “A Christmas Vacation” and “The Santa Clause.”
Ending the day watching movies under blankets is the perfect way for families to cuddle up and enjoy time together. The snow drifting down outside makes it extra cozy.
Snow Much Fun With Science Experiments
Snow days present the perfect opportunity to delve into science experiments that explore winter weather phenomena. Learning through hands-on experiments makes science come alive. Try these fun science activities:
Make Homemade Snow
Explore the chemistry of snow by making your own fluffy white snow. All you need is baking soda, shaving cream and food coloring. When mixed together, a chemical reaction causes the shaving cream to turn into snow. Kids will be amazed!
Create Frozen Bubbles
Blowing bubbles then watching them freeze into icy orbs is magical. Simply blow bubbles outside when the temperature is below freezing. The bubble solution freezes instantly once it hits the frigid air.
Build an Igloo from Ice Bricks
Fill several balloons or milk cartons with water and let them freeze overnight, then peel off the containers. Use the ice bricks to construct a miniature igloo fort. Learn how ice blocks insulate.
Make Crystals from Boiling Water and Snow
Part science experiment, part snow art! Boil water with sugar then pour it over fresh snow. As it cools, beautiful crystals form. Observe the chemical process up close through a magnifying glass.
Science experiments turn snowbound days into learning adventures. Children discover how real-world science connects to the weather wonders happening right outside their windows.
Make Mini Snowmen
Embrace the snow day theme by crafting adorable mini snowmen together. All you need are marshmallows, pretzels, and chocolate chips. Let kids take the lead, assembling the edible ingredients into mini snowmen.
- Use large marshmallows for the body, small marshmallows for the head
- Add pretzel arms
- Decorative chocolate chips for the mouth, nose, eyes and buttons
Making and devouring snowman snacks is a yummy way to extend the snow day fun even to mealtimes. Get creative with other snow-themed edibles like:
- Snowball cake pops dipped in white chocolate
- Snowflake shaped sugar cookies decorated with icing
- Rice cereal treats dipped in white chocolate to look like snow drifts
Making and eating themed treats adds to the magic of snow days at home.
Snow Much Fun With Science Experiments
Snow days present the perfect opportunity to delve into science experiments that explore winter weather phenomena. Learning through hands-on experiments makes science come alive. Try these fun science activities:
Make Homemade Snow
Explore the chemistry of snow by making your own fluffy white snow. All you need is baking soda, shaving cream and food coloring. When mixed together, a chemical reaction causes the shaving cream to turn into snow. Kids will be amazed!
Create Frozen Bubbles
Blowing bubbles then watching them freeze into icy orbs is magical. Simply blow bubbles outside when the temperature is below freezing. The bubble solution freezes instantly once it hits the frigid air.
Build an Igloo from Ice Bricks
Fill several balloons or milk cartons with water and let them freeze overnight, then peel off the containers. Use the ice bricks to construct a miniature igloo fort. Learn how ice blocks insulate.
Make Crystals from Boiling Water and Snow
Part science experiment, part snow art! Boil water with sugar then pour it over fresh snow. As it cools, beautiful crystals form. Observe the chemical process up close through a magnifying glass.
Science experiments turn snowbound days into learning adventures. Children discover how real-world science connects to the weather wonders happening right outside their windows.
Snow Day Photo Shoot
Capture the magic of the snow day with a family photo shoot. Bundle up in warm coats, scarves, mittens and boots. Head outside and have fun posing with the winter wonderland as your background.
Some fun photo ideas:
- Build a snowman and get shots of the kids hugging, high-fiving or posing with their frosty friend.
- Have a snowball fight and photograph the action. Get everyone to look surprised mid-throw and catching snowballs.
- Take candid close-ups of the kids sticking out their tongues to catch snowflakes. The looks of wonder and excitement are priceless.
- Capture the simple beauty of the snow-draped trees and scenery. Have kids make snow angels for aerial shots.
- Take selfies in the falling flakes, zooming in close on smiling snow-covered faces and icy eyelashes.
Once back inside, gather around the computer for a fun family editing session. Pick the best pics to print and frame memories of the wintry day of play.
Snow Much Fun With Science Experiments
Snow days present the perfect opportunity to delve into science experiments that explore winter weather phenomena. Learning through hands-on experiments makes science come alive. Try these fun science activities:
Make Homemade Snow
Explore the chemistry of snow by making your own fluffy white snow. All you need is baking soda, shaving cream and food coloring. When mixed together, a chemical reaction causes the shaving cream to turn into snow. Kids will be amazed!
Create Frozen Bubbles
Blowing bubbles then watching them freeze into icy orbs is magical. Simply blow bubbles outside when the temperature is below freezing. The bubble solution freezes instantly once it hits the frigid air.
Build an Igloo from Ice Bricks
Fill several balloons or milk cartons with water and let them freeze overnight, then peel off the containers. Use the ice bricks to construct a miniature igloo fort. Learn how ice blocks insulate.
Make Crystals from Boiling Water and Snow
Part science experiment, part snow art! Boil water with sugar
